Tamil Nadu: Tasmac orders stringent checks after Enrica U-turn

CHENNAI: The State government has ordered strict quality testing across all distilleries to ensure alcohol content complies with prescribed standards, following public concern over the temporary ban and quick clearance of products from a private manufacturer, Enrica.

A senior Tasmac official on Sunday stated that liquor samples are sent to the central government laboratory in Guindy. "Bottling and dispatch for sale are allowed only after excise officials verify quality based on the test certificates issued by the central lab.

The official added that, following the Enrica controversy over the revocation of the ban within 24 hours, instructions have been issued to officials to conduct comprehensive quality checks across all distilleries to ensure that alcohol levels strictly adhere to permitted limits.

Following directives from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), a Union government body, Tasmac banned the sale of 11 liquor variants produced by 'Enrica Enterprises' on August 13. The issue concerned natural-identical and artificial flavouring substances in liquor brands, and the entity was later given 30 days to correct it. The liquor manufacturer has been at the centre of controversy over the alleged Delhi excise scam, which the CBI is investigating.

Despite the ban on Enrica, the Prohibition and Excise Department, under the State government, recommended lifting it the very next day and advised Tasmac to resume sales.

This swift revocation raised suspicions, prompting liquor consumers and Tasmac employees to demand strict quality assurance for all beverages sold through the network.

Sources said that checks have been intensified following the ban's revocation. The tests primarily verify whether liquor samples meet the standard 42.8 per cent alcohol-by-volume (ABV) threshold to certify products fit for public sale. Wines range from 12 per cent to 15 per cent ABV, and beers range from five per cent to eight per cent ABV, he added.

The official said that health experts and consumer groups argue that relying solely on percentage testing is severely inadequate for modern food safety standards.

Sources from Tasmac added that there are about 250 local and other state liquor brands available in the corporation, which includes over 180 local brands of liquor, 43 local brands of Beer, three local brands of Wine, six other State brands of liquor, five other state beer brands and eight other State brands of Wine.